Marine & Natural History Photography BA(Hons)

You'll practice photographic skills alongside research and critical thinking. During this year, you'll explore biodiversity and habitat, as well as the marine environment, and will participate in a number of local field trips to land and marine environments.

Modules

Developing Practice

You'll be introduced to basic photography skills and camera techniques.

Research and Critical Thinking

Learn how to generate ideas, understand the impact of photography and improve your writing.

Biodiversity and Habitat

Study the intricate web of life in a local habitat.

Exploring Practice

More advanced photographic skills and camera techniques.

Communicating Nature

Learn to communicate scientific ideas through text and photographic sequence.

The Marine Environment

Explore and photograph the seashore and oceans. Within this module you will also be given the opportunity to explore underwater photography if you're a qualified scuba diver and wish to participate. To qualify for underwater photography you must have achieved the PADI Rescue diver qualification (or equivalent ie. BSAC Sport diver) by October of your starting Academic year. 

Alongside studying moving image and still photography, you'll develop your research and critical thinking skills, explore global conservation, and get ready for your own research project.

Modules

Moving Image and the Natural World

Work in groups to create a short film.

Photography of the Natural World

Learn about natural history photography and develop your own portfolio.

Conservation and its Representation

Examine conservation issues and learn how photography and moving image can make an impact.

Independent Practice

Create your own short film and photographic story.

Culture and the Environment

Devise a research project focused on an issue that interests you.

Work Experience

Spend a short period of time undertaking work experience in a relevant professional context.

You can choose to take an optional placement year after your second year on a three-year programme, or after your third year if you’re studying for a degree with an Integrated Foundation Year. 

You’ll be responsible for finding your own placement, with support from the RealWORKS employability team. 

Choosing this option will enhance your industry experience and skills while studying. 

How you’ll study during your placement year 

You’ll spend time working in a professional context, as part of a business or organisation. This can be in one role, or up to three, and must be for a minimum of 24 weeks. 

You’ll develop in-demand workplace skills, deepen your insight into industry and grow your network of contacts, all of which could help you get ahead in your career after graduation. 

Throughout this year, you’ll develop a portfolio of work that includes critical self-reflection on what has been learned from the experience. You’ll be required to evidence your experiences, the skills you’ve learned and your professional growth. 

You'll keep building your photographic skills, develop your final portfolio and dissertation, and prepare to enter the industry.

Modules

Project Development

Begin to develop a major project using still photography or moving image.

Dissertation

Research and write a dissertation on a subject of your choice.

Major Project

Complete your major project and develop a professional portfolio.

Professional Profile

Build your profile to a professional standard and make contacts within the industry.

Why study an Integrated Foundation Year route? 

If you’re taking on a new subject that you haven’t studied in depth before, have been out of education for a while or have a non-standard educational background then an Integrated Foundation Year degree may be the right choice for you. It is a four-year degree with an Integrated Foundation Year to start, which allows you to explore the primary elements of your subject before progressing on to the remaining three years of the BA(Hons) degree. 

What you'll study in your Foundation year

If you choose this pathway, you'll study five core modules in your Foundation year. These are all designed to help you explore the foundational elements of your subject. You'll gain relevant technical skills, learn to experiment and take risks, develop an understanding of professional practice, have opportunities to work across disciplines and collaborate with other students on live project briefs. 

Modules

Explore

You'll begin your foundation year by working collaboratively with others to explore themes of the future. You'll take risks, experiment through play and be supported to break through barriers.

Technique

You'll take subject-specific workshops and develop essential technical and practical skills in your area of study. You'll also enhance your analytical and organisational abilities.

Apply

You'll work with your peer group to think beyond discipline by addressing a societal or global issue. You'll then showcase your work to your peers and deliver and accompanying evaluation of your process.

Industry

You'll enhance your creative and practical skills in your subject specialism by responding to typical industry briefs, underpinned by focused research and experiments. You'll also gain industry insights through guest lectures and workshops.

Launch

You'll develop your unique identity in your specialism through the production of a self-initiated body of work. Your final project will be the bridge to your next year, fully supported by evaluative reviews and critical analysis of the work you have created.

After the Foundation year, you progress into Year One of the full three-year degree, equipped with a deeper knowledge of your subject, a clear understanding of your strengths, and develop a practical and technical skillset and the confidence to excel in your chosen subject. 

If you apply for and enrol onto a degree with an Integrated Foundation Year, you’ll have the option to switch onto a five-year version including a placement year. That means you’ll complete the first three years of your course before completing a placement in industry in your fourth year and returning to Falmouth for the fifth year of your programme. 

The Integrated Foundation Year pathway for this course is new for entry year 2023 and subject to validation.